Springhill Lake Elementary School students race into class, learn to keep their masks on, eat breakfast and lunch in school and are getting on with the business of going to school in the middle of a pandemic.
They are also part of a Community School, one of the tenets of the state legislation’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future law which passed in 2020, and then again in 2021 when state legislators overruled Governor Larry Hogan’s veto. The law created and revised programs for schools with a high concentration of children living in poverty, offering new funding beyond the traditional student-based count, with a goal of providing money to schools to serve many needs beyond education.
Principal Trena Wilson says the Springhill Lake staff is doing that already and is committed to exploring “how to identify equitable practices in education, understand various perspectives and pinpoint practical ways and tools to address challenges in our community and classrooms. We have also served our families by providing food, clothing and mental health resources.” In conjunction with these goals is the effort to provide a safe and effective in-person environment, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to exert itself on the nation’s health.
The law defines concentration of poverty, at least initially, as schools that have 80 percent or more of their students eligible for free and reduced-price lunches.
The Community School concept is based on six constructs, according to the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) website. These are: expanded and culturally relevant curriculum, effective teaching practices, inclusive leadership, multi-tiered systems of support, family and community partnerships, and community support services. Schools, families and community
organizations are expected to work together to provide students with the tools and services they need.
To that end, Wilson said that two Needs Assessment surveys were sent to all stakeholders (parents, teachers, community organizations, etc.). She said the surveys are being used “to determine how to serve our community best. From that data, we have been able to identify enrichment activities to enhance our students’ educational experience.” A few resulting programs are a culinary club, SLE Young Achievers Club, Piano Club, Dance Club and a Gardening Club.
The school also has a mental health clinician who has worked with students and families. In addition, the school has Glodyian Hammett, the community school officer, who is the liaison with the PGCPS Community School Office which has provided “amazing” support and guidance.
Springhill Lake second-grade paraeducator Silke Pope said that the school faces “its share of challenges,” serving a 2,800-unit apartment complex, some of whose residents are immigrants who “struggle with learning a new language, unemployment, legal status, Covid and much more.” Pope added, “I am hoping that with the new Community School designation and monies that will be directly allocated to our school, we can provide more specialized services to our school families and, of course, our students. Our students are in need of more counseling services, social services, after-school programs and much more. Hopefully, with more professional school counselors and a community outreach coordinator, we can provide the additional services that are so desperately needed.”
Concerning the return of in-person learning, Pope said that while “the majority of kids are pretty good at keeping their masks on at all times” and that a sink is available for hand washing, her students “need a lot of guidance and repeated direction for small tasks.” Both breakfast and lunch are eaten in the classroom. Said Pope, “distance is a huge challenge,” especially in a temporary classroom full of 25 students. Playground equipment is, for the moment, not being used.
Pope is concerned about the facility’s cleanliness, with a limited number of maintenance staff. She suggested possibly hiring a private company for the task and perhaps going to a hybrid schedule which would allow time for a complete cleaning during at-home learning.
Already after only three days, one teacher and one student have tested positive for Covid-19. Said Pope, “We’re wondering when are you closing the school? How many people have to test positive?”
Notwithstanding these concerns, Pope asserted that
“Springhill Lake Elementary has excellent and dedicated teachers who are truly professional and care about each and every student that walks into our school. Everyone is truly looking forward to this upcoming school year and we are very excited to welcome our students back to in-person learning.”
